CHAPTER SIX - THE GOLDEN COUPLE
905 Words
The combat training session had finally come to an end, but the excitement refused to die.
Groups of students gathered around the arena, replaying the day's most unforgettable battles.
Some couldn't stop talking about Omar's overwhelming display of strength.
Others laughed as they recalled Owen's humiliating defeat against Darius.
But the center of attention was Asher.
Students crowded around him from every direction.
"That dodge was insane!"
"Teach me how you moved that fast!"
"You didn't even break a sweat!"
Asher chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck.
"It wasn't that impressive."
The students groaned.
"Only you would say that."
One of the younger students tossed him a training glove.
Asher caught it effortlessly before someone else threw him a football.
Without even looking, he caught that too.
Asher wasn't popular simply because he was handsome or athletic.
He had a natural charisma that made everyone around him feel included.
Across the courtyard, Olivia stood beneath the shade of an old oak tree.
She watched the crowd surrounding Asher before quietly looking away.
Something about it didn't feel natural.
She had never enjoyed being the center of attention.
Footsteps approached.
"Mind if I join you?"
Olivia looked up.
It was Liam.
He offered an awkward smile as he stood beside her, still carrying the bruises from his fight.
He had won by the way, he had entangled his opponent's neck, hands and legs with some twinks that came out of his hands and created an earthquake in the particular spot his opponent was standing, making his opponent lose balance and nearly choked to death.
"So..." he said, scratching the back of his head.
"You were impressive today"
Olivia shook her head
"It wasn't so impressive, my opponent was just being àll nice and light with me"
Liam chuckled
"And besides, if it wasn't for Becca who kept encouraging me, I would have lost control of my powers and burn down the entire school"
Liam began to laugh really hard
A faint smile appeared on Olivia's face.
She didn't find it funny.
Liam soon stopped laughing and then he looked directly at Olivia.
They locked eyes for a while, making Olivia feel uncomfortable,
"A..are you ...."
"...You...yeah"
Before either of them could continue, a familiar voice called out from behind.
"There you two are."
They turned.
Becca walked toward them carrying three bottles of water.
"I've been looking everywhere for you."
She handed one bottle to Liam and another to Olivia.
"You both did great today."
Olivia laughed bitterly.
"All thanks to you"
Becca gently nudged her shoulder.
"You stayed on your feet against a final-year student. Take some credits for yourself"
Olivia looked down.
"...Thanks."
Liam smiled.
"I think she has a point."
For the first time since the match, Olivia allowed herself a genuine smile.
Maybe today hadn't been a complete failure after all.
Click.
Click.
Click.
Mia approached Asher with effortless elegance and confidence. The crowd immediately parted, making way for her as if a queen had entered her kingdom.
Without saying a word, she casually wrapped one arm around Omar's shoulder, drawing even more attention from the students.
A smug smile spread across her face.
"So..." she began, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "I heard you embarrassed another opponent."
Asher laughed beside them.
"I always do."
Mia rolled her eyes playfully.
"Cocky."
"You still like me."
"I tolerate you," she teased with a grin.
The students around them smiled at their playful exchange.
Some of the girls couldn't help whispering among themselves.
"I wish I could shapeshift into Mia."
"They're literally the Academy's king and queen."
Several students nodded in agreement, admiring the pair from afar.
"I swear they're perfect together."
"I hope they never break up."
The two of them barely noticed the attention they were receiving. To everyone else, they looked untouchable—the school's golden couple.
Yet, from across the arena, Olivia watched the scene in silence.
For reasons she couldn't explain, something about them made her feel like she didn't belong in this world of powerful, confident students.
She lowered her eyes and quietly turned away.
As Mia talked with Asher, his eyes wandered across the academy grounds.
They stopped on Olivia.
She was helping Owen gather the books he had dropped during the fight.
She wasn't laughing at him...
She wasn't mocking him...
She was simply helping.
His expression hardened as he watched them.
Mia noticed where his attention had shifted.
"What are you looking at?" she asked.
Asher nodded toward the pair.
"Him."
"The new girl."
Mia followed his gaze.
"Oh."
"Are you wondering why she's helping him?" she scoffed.
"Because they're both losers."
Asher remained silent, his eyes still fixed on Owen and Olivia.
Then, for some reason he couldn't explain, an uneasy feeling settled in his chest.
- Writer
